Silver Award
On completion of this award participants will be able to plan and follow walks in the countryside away from paths and tracks.
Syllabus
The learning outcomes of the award (additional to those of the Bronze award) are as follows:
• Devise a strategy for a navigational stage, break it down into "coarse" and "fine" navigation and to
use clear features en route to check that they are "on course"
• Understand and apply the following components of a navigational strategy: "aiming off", "attack
points", "collecting features", simplifying navigation, and apply them in varying terrain
• Demonstrate an understanding of contour features, both large and small, on the map and on the
ground
• Demonstrate an understanding of the physical navigation factors affecting route choice
• Judge distance accurately on the map and on the ground
• Plan a safe walk or route involving Silver award skills and strategies
• Employ simple relocation strategies when lost
• Use a compass to follow accurate bearings and to check the direction of footpaths or other linear
features on both map and ground
• Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of fatigue and physical discomfort brought on by navigating in
demanding countryside and/or extreme weather condition. Knowledge of basic first aid is also
expected
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of the Countryside Code and current access legislation as for
the Bronze level, together with an appreciation of basic environmental factors in mixing "man with
nature" (for example, footpath erosion and methods of dealing with it), and responsibilities towards
other countryside interests like farming, forestry and conservation
Assessment Guidance Notes
The candidates will be assessed on their ability to plan an appropriate route and navigate using a variety of navigation strategies such as aiming off, attack points, collecting features, simplifying navigational legs and choosing appropriate routes:
• The assessment route would normally include a number of distinct contour features which require the
navigator to use a wide range of navigational strategies
• The assessment route would normally use a variety of countryside to require choice of route, having
regard to the effect of terrain, etc.
• The practical assessment will be undertaken over a distance of between 5 and 8km
• Practical assessment will be supplemented by questions to the candidate. Candidates will
demonstrate their ability to plan a route, and their understanding of the interaction between the
land, countryside users and conservation. This can be done orally or in a written format
• The minimum assessor:candidate assessment ratio is 1:6
• The duration of training and assessment of the Silver Award will be a minimum of 12 hours, and cover
all aspects of the syllabus
Cost
We generally run Silver Award courses at Dell Farm Outdoor Education Centre. The course includes training and assessment and lasts for two days. The total cost is £100.00 per candidate, including a certificate if successful.
Courses will be running on the following dates in 2010:
• Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 February
• Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 November
The address of the centre used for the course is:
Dell Farm Outdoor Education Centre, Whipsnade, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2LG.
Alternatively, if you have a group of between four and six candidates who would like to participate in this course, please contact us and we will be pleased to discuss available dates and quote you a price to run a course specially for your group. If suitable, this could be at your own venue.